Renovations

Top paint colours of 2011

Renovations

Top paint colours of 2011

When a new year rolls around, many of us start looking for ways to improve ourselves and our surroundings. What better way to revamp than with a fresh coat of paint? Full of inspiration and dreamy designs, our favourite decor experts dish about their paint picks for 2011 and share some tips on how to use them.

"I am most excited about psyching myself up to paint my den at my house in Tweed, Ont. in the Farrow & Ball colour Hague Blue in a high gloss finish. This is a MASSIVE leap for me (I am normally all about white paint). I have already painted a test swatch and I love it ... hopefully I'll have the guts to follow through. Stay tuned." Margot Austin, Style at Home Senior Design Editor

"Benjamin Moore's Smoke 2122-40, which is a rich blue-grey colour. It complements neutrals like dark brown and grey, and also looks great against trend colours like purple, teal and yellow. I would use these colours in bedrooms or dining rooms." Karl Lohnes, Style at Home Contributing Style Editor

"My favourite colour for 2011 is the colour I just used in my office, and I plan to use it on whatever space will let me! It is by Para Paint and it is called Banker's Suit, P5005-85. It is a gorgeous, vivid blue, very modern and so chic." Lisa Canning, Interior Stylist"2011 is inspired by shimmery, pink lustreware! These colours are soothing and calming enough to be used in almost any room. But in my dream dining room I would do a grey trim, pink ceiling and lavender walls accented with lots of silver lustre and a dark lacquered ebonized hardwood. These colours are from Valspar through Lowe's: Night Shade CI 140, Foggy Mirror CI 126 and Rose Petal Pink CI 125." Eddie Ross, Lifestyle Expert and former Martha Stewart Living Editor

"So hard to pick one... but it would be ICI Margarita 30GY 58/3752. I would suggest using it in a living room. It will work well in a space with large windows. This shade is surprisingly neutral and can work with classic furniture (for a traditional conservatory feel) or with modern furniture (for a more west coast feel). Paint trim white to keep it fresh. Janette Ewen, Interior Stylist